Health unit votes to petition province for $100 “healthy food” income supplement for people on social assistance

The Windsor Essex County Health Unit will join local health units in Ontario in petitioning the provincial government to help people on social assistance afford nutritious food.

The board of the unit voted unanimously on Thursday afternoon to petition the premier to implement a $100 Healthy Food Supplement for social assistance recipients.

Jennifer MacLellan, a registered dietitian who works with the health unit, said it is people on social assistance that are suffering most when it comes to accessing healthy and nutritious food, and in the long run, poor nutrition leads to far worse health problems.

Speaking to the board, MacLellan cited statistics which show the cost of feeding a family of four on a regular, healthy diet is now more than $166 per week. A decade ago, it was just over $100.

High rates of unemployment and underemployment point to a real risk of food insecurity in Windsor-Essex, MacLellan said.

A growing number of people cannot afford or physically access the right types of foods, she said.

Just the fact that food bank use was up 20 per cent last year is an indicator, she said, and research shows that poor nutrition leads to obesity, depression, and much more serious chronic health problems such as diabetes.

Lively discourse is the lifeblood of any healthy democracy and The Star encourages readers to engage in robust debates about our stories. But, please, avoid personal attacks and keep your comments respectful and relevant. If you encounter abusive comments, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. The Star is Using Facebook Comments. Visit our FAQ page for more information.